Prologue

The first two decisions you make affect the sex of your Commander Shepard and or to import your own character from Mass Effect 2. Importing a character allows you to start at a higher level (up to Level 30) and attribute up to 20 Power Points to you and your Squad Members. This is a HUGE advantage.

The third decision, "Choose Your Experience," DRASTICALLY changes the gameplay -- like whether you have dialogue options or not.

Action - There are NO dialogue options in this mode, so you won't be getting Paragon or Renegade points for those choices and you won't be able to hear all of the dialogue. You will NOT be able to choose Shepard's appearance. You also won't get to choose a Class.

Role Playing - This is the standard Mass Effect experience, including dialogue options and standard combat. You will be able to choose Shepard's appearance. You get to choose a Class

Story - This option allows you to coast through the story with dialogue options but very easy combat. You will be able to choose Shepard's appearance. You get to choose a Class

This walkthrough will primarily cover Role Playing.

Assuming you didn't choose Action, you will now be able to choose your Class and Psychological Profile. The former affects what Weapons and Powers you can use and the latter affects small, but specific dialogue options.

As part of Psychological Profile you will choose between Kaiden Alenko and Ashley Williams. The character you choose will NOT appear in the game.

Note: Depending on what choices you've made and if you played ME2's Arrival DLC, Anderson's chat with you at the beginning is slightly different.

Follow Anderson using the waypoint indicator (click the RIGHT THUMBSTICK to see your target). You must run using the commands shown to clear the gap with a running leap. You begin with an M3 Predator I pistol but you have some Powers as well. Be sure to check out both the Weapons and Powers menus to familiarize yourself with the abilities at your disposal.

The first several enemies you see are Husks. They can take quite a few shots from your pistol, but they will ignore you for the time being.

Climb down the ladder by approaching it. The next few Husks must be attacked directly with melee attacks. Approach them from behind and hold MELEE to kill them with a Heavy Melee, or just tap it, since they are weak enemies.

After the Reaper destroys the building top, enter the flaming building and Salvage the Med Kit for a First Aid Power recharge (100 XP). You can now select First Aid from your Powers menu to heal yourself.

Approach the door and Heavy Melee the Husk. Now you can open the door.

In the cutscene with the young child and Anderson, you'll be able to gain some Paragon/Renegade points. Remember that the top right option gives you Paragon points, and the bottom right Renegade.

Pick up the Heat Sinks (these are the game's ammo) and you can use your overheated gun again. Pause the game and choose the Squad menu to see your Reputation rating.

After the Dreadnought is taken out, hop down and talk to the friendlies. Several Cannibals will appear. These easy enemies will take cover and fire at you. You should do the same. Aim for their mouths. You can direct Anderson to use his Concussive Shot by selecting it from the upper left of your Powers menu.

You can salvage another Med Kit just before rounding the corner to face more Cannibals. Even if you don't need it, the Salvage action always gives you XP (50 XP this time).

Kill the Cannibals and hang a right. The radio you are looking for is on the right side of this area. After using the radio you will unlock the M8 Avenger I for use. This Assault Rifle should be your weapon of choice for the Cannibals.